Small Steps, Big Wins
There’s a funny thing about progress. We want it fast, big, and flashy. But most of the time, the stuff that really moves the needle isn’t some grand gesture. It is the little things. The texts we send. The one email we’ve been putting off. The first post that feels vulnerable but honest. This part of the FUNdamental Formula is about getting into action and making sure that action is actually useful. Not busy work. Not perfection. Just the next best step. This is where we shift into the pollinate phase.
This is where dreams move from paper to real life. But let’s not start sprinting just yet. Too many people go full speed, way outside their comfort zone, and then get freaked out, freeze up, or burnout. If that’s ever been you, you’re not alone. The better approach? Lean into the edge of your comfort zone. Then take a step and then another.
Why Small, Aligned Actions Matter More Than Big, Flashy Goals
Here’s what I’ve learned: your comfort zone isn’t your enemy. It’s your current range. And it can grow, but not by bulldozing through it. You stretch it one small action at a time. The secret is to stay close enough to familiar that you don’t scare yourself out of action, but far enough from the norm that growth can actually happen.
My wife, Kylene, is a great example. Live video used to make her want to crawl under the table. It caused a full-body reaction. Nausea. Dread. All of it. But she didn’t wake up one day and go live in front of hundreds. She built her confidence through a happy hour Zoom with friends. Then a co-hosted segment. Then her own weekly live. Each one stretched the boundary just a bit more. Now she’s not only hosting live shows but applying to teach live yoga on global platforms.
That’s the key. Your biggest moves start with the smallest steps.
Now, it’s not just about doing something. It’s about doing something useful. Just like it’s not possible to steer a parked car, you also can’t redirect if you’re not in motion. So yes, movement matters. But let’s make it productive movement.
You’ve probably heard me talk about the Art of Success cycle. It’s my flywheel system that helps make sure we’re not just acting, but also learning from the actions. Here’s how it works: Plan. Act. Reflect. Learn. Act again.
If you’re afraid to act, that is a good sign. That fear is a yield sign, not a stop sign. It is a signal that something important is ahead and you should pause briefly and make sure you are ready to put your best foot forward. But then go. You don’t have to see the whole path, just the next step.
And the wild thing? Once you start moving, you build momentum that becomes a collection of proof that you can survive the risk. You learn. You refine. You stop getting stuck in overthinking because your focus shifts from “what if this goes wrong” to “what’s the next small step I can take right now?” And those small steps reveal the next steps to take.
Not every action leads to a win, and that’s fine. That’s the beauty of the cycle. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. One of my favorite sayings is “massive, determined action”—but that doesn’t mean “giant leaps.” It means frequent, intentional steps.
And if your first reaction is, “But what if I mess up?”, then that is a sign to take action. The “mess-ups” are where the growth happens and even if you feel like it was a step backward, you can learn something from it. The fear we feel is just made-up stories about the worst possible outcome. You can change the story. Imagine the best possible outcome and see what action looks like from that mindset.
One of the biggest myths about success is that it’s about getting a yes. Actually, it’s about hearing “no” and not quitting. It’s about being the person who keeps showing up, who keeps adjusting, who keeps offering, who keeps sharing. That’s what makes you unstoppable. Not because you’re fearless, but because you’re in motion.
And maybe the most important action of all? Learning when to say no. Real action isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing what matters. Sometimes that means cutting out the distractions, saying no to the “shoulds,” and making space for the stuff that actually lines up with your SVPs and your goals.
3 Simple Steps to Start Taking Aligned Action Today
So as we step into this part of the FUNdamental Formula, here’s your challenge: take one small, useful step today. Something that feels doable but slightly stretchy. Then do it again tomorrow, and the day after. Watch how quickly your comfort zone expands. Watch how your confidence grows. Watch how the pieces start clicking into place, not because you worked harder, but because you stayed in motion.
And if you’re wondering where to start, here are three simple things you can try this week:
- Set a 15-minute timer and work on something you’ve been avoiding. Don’t try to finish it, just move it forward. That action counts.
- Make a “small step” list. Pick one project you are working on that leads you towards your #1 goal and write down five bite-sized actions you can take toward it. Then commit to knocking out one a day.
- Create a reflection loop. At the end of each day, ask yourself: What worked? What didn’t? What will I try tomorrow?
These aren’t giant shifts. But they build consistency, which builds belief, which builds momentum. And momentum is your best friend in this season. Keep showing up. Keep taking small, real steps. Keep the flywheel turning.
You’ve got this. Go into every action with high intentions of the outcome and leave with low attachment to the result.